A SUCCESSFUL Weston College apprentice has done so well since leaving education he now has an apprentice of his own.

Yatton resident, Matt Wheeler, studied for his level two and three NVQ estate agent qualifications via the college’s business enterprise centre.

At age 16 he was taken on by Heritage Estate Agents in Yatton High Street as an office junior apprentice, and just a few years later he is now the assistant manager.

Managing director of the company, Richard Van de Velde, said: “Matt just had something very professional about him so I made a job just for him.

“He travelled between branches on his little moped and had to learn to drive before he could show people around properties, now he’s an assistant manager and may have my job one day.”

The 24-year-old now has a new assistant, 19-year-old Trudie Griffin, who is following in his footsteps and has enrolled to study the same NVQ level two course at the college.

Matt said: “I did work experience at an estate agents while at school and knew it was what I wanted so I sent my CV off to every estate agent in North Somerset, but only Richard got back to me.

“I worked with Weston College to train at work while meeting with assessors. I also took an exam to become a member of the National Association of Estate Agents when I was 18.

“I love my job - the people, the viewings, valuing and the buzz of sales. It was great to train at work and yes, I’d like to be a managing director like Richard one day.”

The college’s business enterprise centre apprenticeship manager, Helen Booker, said that on-the-job training is vital and last year the college had 560 apprentices.